JP2020020666A - Snow cover weighing device and snow cover weighing device unit - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a snow cover weighing device which has a simple constitution using a strain gauge as a load sensor, and which is small-sized, inexpensive, easy to handle, and capable of accurately measuring snow cover weight by reducing an influence of snow cover in the peripheral vicinity of the load sensor, and to provide a snow cover weighing device unit.SOLUTION: Provided is a snow cover weighing device 10 in which: a frame body 12 is fixed on a peripheral side of a base 11 positioned in the outermost periphery; a measuring plate 13 is arranged separated from and surrounded by the frame body 12; and a communication antenna 14 projecting from the frame body 12. A load sensor 15 is disposed on a back side of the measuring plate 13, and when the measuring plate 13 is deformed by snow cover, the deflection is transferred to a strain sensor, so that a weight value based on the snow cower weight is output. The frame body 12 functions as a peripheral mechanism for decreasing an influence arising from snow cover in the peripheral vicinity of the measuring plate 13 by the load sensor 15, and suppresses weight change due to settling of snow cover, by using a flat horizontal plane 12a. The snow cover load measured by the load sensor 15 is transmitted to the outside via the communication antenna 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a snow weighing scale and a snow weighing scale unit for measuring the weight of snow falling on the surrounding environment, and to a snow weighing scale that measures the weight of snow with a strain gauge.

  The weight of snow is said to be useful for reducing snow and ice disasters such as occurrence of avalanches in mountainous areas, collapse of houses due to roof snow, provision of information on road traffic and snowstorm traffic. Since the weight of snow (density of snow) changes depending on the quality of snow, it cannot be determined from the depth of snow, and a snow weighing scale capable of automatically measuring the weight of snow is required.

  Conventionally, as this type of snow weighing scale, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, a flat closed container 1 made of a stainless steel sheet filled with antifreeze is placed on a horizontal installation portion 3 formed by concrete casting on the ground 2 The semiconductor pressure gauges 4 housed in a gauge box 5 for measuring the internal pressure by receiving the pressure of the antifreeze in the closed vessel 1 are connected to each closed vessel 1 by a connecting pipe 6, and are connected to each other. There is a structure in which a change in the pressure of the semiconductor pressure gauge 4 due to the weight of snow piled on the surface of the semiconductor pressure gauge 1 is detected to measure the weight of snow (Patent Document 1).

  Such a metal-wafer-type snow weighing scale was developed in 1974 at the Resources Agency in California, the United States, and was improved in 1983 to enable electrical recording in Japan. The practicality has been confirmed.

  There is also a snowfall measurement system that accurately measures the load distribution of snowfall weight on a roof (Patent Document 2). This generates a load data signal indicating a load applied to the load sensor, and discloses an example in which a load cell is used as an example of the load sensor.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-25385 (FIG. 1) JP 2008-82941 A (paragraph [0015] etc.)

  However, in the case of the structure disclosed in Patent Literature 1, mixing of air when filling the closed container with the antifreeze is inevitable, and since air is mixed in the antifreeze, a completely degassed state is obtained. It is extremely difficult to do. Furthermore, the pressure gauge detects not only the pressure of the antifreeze liquid but also the air pressure.However, since the temperature expansion of the air is larger than that of water, it tends to cause a measurement error. When the process is completed, data may be obtained with snow even though there is no snow on the closed container, and the reliability may be reduced.

  In addition, it has a combination of a stainless steel plate and a closed container (metal wafer), antifreeze, a pressure gauge, a hose, etc., and the device is large. It was awkward. Furthermore, when using a balance type, it is necessary to reduce the scale (height) or to cut out a part of the snow and put it on the balance because the snow falls uniformly around the scale. Device was necessary.

  On the other hand, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 do not consider at all the influence of snow accumulation in the vicinity of a metal wafer or a load sensor, and have a problem that a measurement error of snow accumulation weight occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a snow weighing scale having a simple configuration using a strain gauge as a load sensor, which is small, inexpensive, easy to handle, and near the load sensor. It is an object of the present invention to provide a snow weighing scale and a snow weighing scale unit which can reduce the influence of snow accumulation and accurately measure the snow accumulation weight.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following.

  (1) A measurement plate receiving snowfall, a load sensor for generating a load signal according to a load applied to the measurement plate, and a load sensor installed around the measurement plate, and the snow sensor near the measurement plate by the load sensor. And a surrounding mechanism for reducing an influence caused by the snow.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it has a measurement board, a load sensor, and a surrounding mechanism, and since a surrounding mechanism performs the function which reduces the influence attributable to the snow accumulation of the circumference of a measurement board by a load sensor, the snowfall weight with high precision Can be measured. Further, the snow weighing scale of the present invention is different from the conventional metal wafer type snow weighing scale in that it has a structure in which there is no liquid or the like in a closed container, and therefore does not require correction based on the temperature characteristics of the liquid. Further, there is no influence of air in the closed container, and no measurement error occurs due to temperature expansion of the air.

  The load sensor may be a two-dimensional movable type that can be moved up and down or a three-dimensional type that can be moved up and down and left and right. May occur. A surrounding mechanism that reduces such an effect contributes to highly accurate measurement of snowfall weight.

  (2) The snow weighing machine, wherein the peripheral mechanism is a frame surrounding the measurement plate and having an upper surface substantially flush with the measurement plate.

  According to the present invention, the peripheral mechanism surrounds the periphery of the measurement plate and is a frame having an upper surface substantially flush with the measurement plate. The blur in the left and right direction can be reduced.

  (3) The snow weighing scale, wherein the peripheral mechanism is a fence body surrounding the measurement plate and protruding above the measurement plate.

  According to the present invention, since the surrounding mechanism is a fence body surrounding the measurement plate and projecting above the measurement plate, the snow on the measurement plate is guided from above by the fence body, and a spot is formed. The snow cover can be evenly distributed.

  (4) The peripheral mechanism surrounds the periphery of the measurement plate, and a frame body that is located on substantially the same plane as the measurement plate, and a fence body that surrounds the periphery of the frame body and protrudes upward from the measurement plate. A snow weighing scale, which is a combination of

  According to the present invention, a combination of a frame body for reducing blurring in the left and right direction near the measurement plate and a fence body for guiding snow accumulation on the measurement plate contributes to more accurate measurement of snowfall weight. .

  (5) The snow weighing scale, wherein the frame and the measurement plate are arranged with a predetermined gap.

  According to the present invention, since the frame and the measurement plate are arranged with a predetermined gap, the measurement plate can be freely moved within a predetermined range.

  (6) The snow weighing machine according to the present invention, wherein the load sensor has a communication mechanism for measuring load data based on a load signal generated by a load cell and transmitting the load data through an electric communication line.

  According to the present invention, since load data is transmitted using the load sensor as a load cell, an IoT sensor compatible with the sensor and the Internet connection can be configured. Further, since the load cell has good temperature characteristics, the load cell is suitable as the snow weighing scale of the present invention used mainly in a cold season or in a cold region.

(7) The snow weighing machine, wherein the area of the measurement plate is 30 cm × 30 cm or more.
(8) The snow weighing machine characterized in that the inner area including the frame is 41 cm × 41 cm or more.

  According to the present invention, the area of the measurement plate is at least 30 cm x 30 cm, and the inner area including the frame is at least 41 cm x 41 cm, which is smaller than that of a conventional large snow weighing instrument of about 2 m x 3 m. The required construction burden can also be reduced. Further, by using a load cell as a load sensor, it is possible to contribute to miniaturization of the entire snow weighing scale.

  (9) A base located at the outermost periphery, a measurement plate for receiving snow, a load sensor for generating a load signal according to a load applied to the measurement plate, and a periphery of the measurement plate. A frame having a coplanar upper surface; and a mounting hole in which a communication antenna can be mounted is provided on the upper surface of the frame.

  According to the present invention, in the snow weighing scale unit, the base, the measuring plate, the load sensor, and the frame are assembled, the communication antenna is enclosed as a separate body, and a mounting hole for mounting the communication antenna is provided. . With a configuration in which a tall communication antenna is retrofitted, the size of the snow weighing scale unit at the time of sending can be reduced. Similarly, other tall components can be retrofitted.

  (10) A snow weighing unit characterized in that an attachment for mounting a snow depth gauge can be installed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the size at the time of transmission of a snow weighing scale unit can be made small by attaching a tall snow depth gauge with height. A snow depth gauge attachment for attaching the snow depth gauge can be installed.

  The snow weighing scale and the snow weighing unit according to the present invention can measure the weight of the snow by detecting the deflection of the measuring plate by the weight of the snow by the load sensor which is a strain gauge, and can measure the snow in the vicinity of the measuring plate. There is an effect that it is possible to measure the snow weight with high accuracy by the peripheral mechanism for reducing the influence of the measurement error due to the snow. Furthermore, a small and inexpensive device with a simple structure of the snow weighing scale can be realized, and information can be provided to the outside as an IoT sensor.

It is a schematic structure figure of the 1st snow weighing scale concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a schematic structure figure of the 2nd snow weighing scale concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is sectional drawing of the snow weighing scale which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an electrical block diagram of the snow weighing scale which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows a mode of snow accumulation. The figure which shows the relationship of the snowfall weight after the end of snowfall in each snowfall state. The figure which shows the relationship of the snowfall weight in the snowfall in each snowfall state. It is a schematic structure figure of the snow weighing scale unit concerning an embodiment of the invention. It is a block diagram of the conventional metal wafer type snow weighing scale.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first snow weighing scale 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the snow weighing scale 10, a frame 12 is fixedly provided on a peripheral side of a base 11 located at the outermost periphery, and a measurement plate 13 is provided so as to be surrounded by being separated from the frame 12. A communication antenna 14 protrudes. The base 11 is installed horizontally with respect to the ground, a roof, a roof, or the like, and a variable angle for installation in a horizontal direction is installed on an inclined installation location as needed. With such a base 11, the installation burden can be reduced.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the second snow weighing scale 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are used for the same components as the snow weighing scale 10, and the difference from the snow weighing scale 10 is that a fence body 12 ′ is provided upright along the vertical surface 12 b of the frame 12. Although not shown, the fence body 12 ′ may be installed so as to surround the measurement plate 13 at a distance. For example, the fence body 12 ′ may be provided upright so as to surround the outer edge of the base 13 without providing the frame body 12. You may.

  The frame 12 is installed around the measurement plate 13 with a constant gap G (for example, 5 mm width), so that the measurement plate 13 can freely move three-dimensionally without interference from the frame 12. I have. The frame 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 has an L-shaped cross section having a horizontal surface 12a and a vertical surface 12b. The horizontal surface 12a is a flat plate having a smooth shape.

  In addition, the frame 12 protects the measurement plate 13 and the load sensor 15 and also functions as a peripheral mechanism that reduces the influence of the load sensor 15 due to the snow accumulation near the periphery of the measurement plate 13, and is an example of the peripheral mechanism. As shown in FIG. 1, a flat frame surrounding the measurement plate 13 and having an upper surface (horizontal surface 12 a) substantially flush with the measurement plate 13 is formed. The horizontal surface 12a suppresses a change in weight due to the settling of snow.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an example of a peripheral mechanism of the frame body 12 is a sharp fence body 12 ′ surrounding the measurement plate 13 and protruding above the measurement plate 13. In FIG. 2, the fence body 12 ′ and the frame body 12 are configured as separate bodies, but the fence body and the frame body may be integrally configured to form an L-shaped cross-section or a T-shaped cross-section. Good. In this case, the same effect can be obtained even if a fence-shaped L-shaped angle or T-shaped angle is arranged as a frame.

  The measurement plate 13 is a rectangular stainless steel plate that receives snow. The upper surface of the measurement plate 13 has a connection portion 15a with the load sensor 15, and the load sensor 15 is provided below the measurement plate 12 (see FIG. 3). When the connection portion 15a is physically connected to the load sensor 15 and has good thermal conductivity, a heat insulating member for preventing snow melting may be attached to the upper surface of the connection portion 15a.

An example of the area of the measuring plate 13 is 30 cm × 30 cm, and when converted by the weight per unit area (kg / m ² ), the obtained weight is multiplied by 11.11. Since the snow depth that can be measured by the measuring plate 13 depends on the area, the snow depth may be measured using the measuring plate 13 having a size of 30 cm × 30 cm or more. The shape and size of the measuring plate 13 need to be defined so as to show the same measured values as those of a conventional snow weighing scale.

  An example of the inner area including the frame 12 is 41 cm × 41 cm. Specifically, the area of the measurement plate 13 is 30 cm × 30 cm, and the area of the hollow frame itself is 41 cm × 41 cm−30 cm × 30 cm. In addition, in order to extend the snow depth that can be measured by the measuring plate 13, when measuring the snowfall weight using the measuring plate 13 of 30 cm × 30 cm or more, the inner area becomes 41 cm × 41 cm or more.

  FIG. 4 is an electrical configuration diagram of the snow scales 10 and 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The communication antenna 14 and the load sensor 15 are as described above. Note that the load sensor 15 is provided on the back side of the measurement plate 13 and has a structure in which when the measurement plate 13 is bent by snow, the deflection is transmitted to the strain sensor. Is output.

  Inside the snow weighing scales 10, 20, a power supply unit 16a, a power supply unit 16b, a wireless unit 16c, a board unit 16d, and an analog processing unit 16e are provided in the waterproof box 16. In the case of performing data communication with the outside, data can be transmitted from the repeater to the outside via the communication antenna 14 via a repeater (not shown). By using the repeater, the capacity of the power supply unit 16a in the waterproof box 16 can be suppressed, and a large-capacity battery can be mounted in the repeater. Communication becomes possible.

  The power supply unit 16a is a supply source for supplying power to the snow weighing scales 1 and 2, and can use a dry battery, a storage battery, an AC / DC power supply, or the like. The power supplied from the power supply unit 16a is power-converted by the power supply unit 16b, and supplies an appropriate power value to each unit.

  The wireless unit 16c controls transmission of communication data from the microcomputer of the board unit 16d using a wireless module, and transmits the communication data from the communication antenna 14. The wireless module sends data to the repeater by performing ZigBee communication in conformity with IEEE, or directly sends data to the outside by performing wi-fi communication when the power from the power supply source 16a is sufficient.

  The board unit 16d has a microcomputer that controls comprehensive control of the snow scales 10 and 20, and is connected to or functionally integrated with the analog processing unit 16e. The weight data from the load sensor 15 is amplified by a signal as required by an analog processing unit 16e and converted from analog to digital, and then processed by a microcomputer. The microcomputer performs a voltage-to-weight conversion process (scaling process) and outputs the weight data.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of the snow weighing scale and a state of snow accumulation. FIG. 5A shows a state in which nothing surrounds the periphery of the measurement plate 13 and the snow is gently wrapped around the measurement plate 13. FIG. 5B shows a state in which the frame 12 having substantially the same plane surrounds the periphery of the measurement plate 13, and the snow is gently wrapped around the frame 12. FIG. 5C shows a state in which the frame 12 and the fence body 12 ′ surround the periphery of the measurement plate 13, and the snow is uniformly covered by the fence body.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the snow cover weights after the end of the snow cover in each snow cover state (FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C), and FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship of the snow weight in snow in (B), (C)). FIG. 7 also shows a reference line obtained by measuring the weight of snow using an electronic balance.

  FIG. 6 shows a comparison between the snow mass actually measured by snow accumulation and the snow mass measured by cutting out the snow mass to the size of the measuring plate 13. In FIG. 6, when the snow mass is cut out in the state of FIG. Shows that the snowfall weight is excessively measured under the influence of the sedimentation force. On the other hand, even if the snow is cut out in the states of (B) and (C), the change in the snowfall weight is not so much seen, indicating that the influence of the sedimentation force is reduced by the frame and the fence.

  According to FIGS. 6 and 7, it can be seen that the state of (B) and / or (C) is closer to the reference curve than the state of (A), and a good correlation is obtained. That is, in the state (A), a force (settling force) acting on the outside of the measuring plate 13 as shown by an arrow in FIG. 5 acts, so that a measurement error may occur in comparison with the actual weight. is there. In contrast, in (B) and (C), the influence of the sedimentation force can be reduced.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of the snow weighing scale unit 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The snow weighing scale unit 100 has a base 11, a measuring plate 13, a load sensor 15, a frame 12, and a mounting hole 12c provided in a horizontal surface 12a on the upper surface side of the frame 12. The communication antenna 14 is attached to the attachment hole 12c. In the snow weighing scale unit 100, the communication antenna 14 is connected to the board 16d by a connection line so that communication is possible. The communication antenna 14 is mounted in the mounting hole 12c and fixed with screws or the like.

  In the snow weighing scale unit 100, a snow depth gauge for measuring the snow depth on the measuring plate 13 can be mounted on the mounting portion 19, and a snow depth gauge mounting attachment is provided. The mounting portion 19 is installed on the outer peripheral wall of the frame body 12 and has a plate fixing stud 19a mounted thereon. By installing a snow depth gauge, it can be used as a snow weighing scale and a snow depth gauge.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The snow weighing scale and the snow weighing scale unit according to the present invention are useful as those capable of reducing the influence of sedimentation force when measuring the weight of snow falling on the surrounding environment and accurately measuring the weight of snow.

10, 20 Snow weighing scale 11 Base 12 Frame (12a: horizontal plane, 12b: vertical plane, 12c: mounting hole)
12 'fence body 13 measuring plate 14 communication antenna 15 load sensor (15a: connection part)
16. Waterproof BOX (16a: power supply unit, 16b: power supply unit, 16c: wireless unit, 16d: board unit, 16e: analog processing unit)
G gap

Claims (10)

A measuring plate for receiving snowfall,
A load sensor that generates a load signal according to the load applied to the measurement plate,
A peripheral mechanism that is installed around the measurement plate and reduces an effect caused by snow accumulation in the vicinity of the measurement plate by the load sensor.
Snow weighing scale characterized by having.   The snow weighing machine according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral mechanism is a frame surrounding the measurement plate and having an upper surface substantially flush with the measurement plate.   The snow weighing scale according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral mechanism is a fence body surrounding the measurement plate and protruding above the measurement plate. The peripheral mechanism is
A flat frame surrounding the measurement plate and positioned substantially on the same plane as the measurement plate,
A fence body surrounding the frame body and protruding above the measurement plate;
The snow weighing scale according to claim 1, wherein the weight is a combination of:   The snow weighing scale according to claim 2, wherein the frame and the measurement plate are arranged with a predetermined gap. The load sensor measures load data based on (
The snow weighing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a communication mechanism for transmitting the load data through an electric communication line.   The snow weighing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the area of the measurement plate is 30 cm x 30 cm or more.   The snow weighing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein an inner area including the frame body is 41cm x 41cm or more. A base located at the outermost periphery,
A measuring plate for receiving snowfall,
A load sensor that generates a load signal according to the load applied to the measurement plate,
A frame surrounding the measurement plate and having an upper surface substantially flush with the measurement plate,
Has,
A snow weighing scale unit, wherein a mounting hole to which a communication antenna can be mounted is provided on an upper surface of the frame.   The snow weighing scale unit according to claim 9, wherein an attachment for mounting a snow depth gauge can be installed.

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